The Peoples Democratic Party in Benue State has dismissed claims that its 2027 governorship candidate Chief Michael Aondoakaa is constitutionally disqualified from contesting the election.
The party issued a statement on Saturday through its State Publicity Secretary Bright Antyo. It described the allegations as false, misleading and politically motivated, with no legal or constitutional basis.
Antyo said no court has convicted Aondoakaa of any offence that would bar him from seeking office. He noted that Aondoakaa had contested the PDP governorship primary in 2015 and the APC governorship primary in 2022 without legal challenge.
The statement cited Section 285(14)(9) of the 1999 Constitution, arguing that any pre-election suit would now be statute-barred. Aondoakaa emerged as the PDP candidate after the party primary on May 24, 2026.
The PDP reaffirmed its confidence in Aondoakaa and said it would focus its campaign on security, economic recovery, agricultural transformation, industrial development and responsive governance.
